Clinical trials sponsored by NIAID

Clinical Trials Sponsored by NIAID

Clinical trials are research studies performed in people that are aimed at evaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention. They are the primary way that researchers discover whether a new treatment, like a new drug, diet, or medical device, is safe and effective in people. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is a part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), and it plays a significant role in sponsoring and conducting clinical trials, especially those related to infectious diseases, allergies, and immunology.

Overview of NIAID-Sponsored Clinical Trials[edit | edit source]

NIAID-sponsored clinical trials cover a broad range of diseases and conditions, including HIV/AIDS, influenza, COVID-19, tuberculosis, malaria, autoimmune diseases, and allergies. These trials are critical for developing and testing the efficacy and safety of new treatments, vaccines, and diagnostic tools for infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases.

Phases of Clinical Trials[edit | edit source]

Clinical trials are conducted in phases, each with a different purpose:

Phase I trials test a new biomedical intervention in a small group of people (e.g., 20-80) for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase II trials give the biomedical intervention to a larger group of people (e.g., 100-300) to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase III trials are conducted on even larger groups of people (e.g., 1,000-3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the intervention to be used safely.
Phase IV trials are done after the intervention has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.

Importance of NIAID-Sponsored Clinical Trials[edit | edit source]

NIAID-sponsored clinical trials are vital for advancing medical knowledge and patient care. They can lead to the development of new treatments that significantly improve health outcomes for individuals with infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. Furthermore, these trials help to determine the standard of care for these conditions and can influence health policy and practice guidelines.

Participation in Clinical Trials[edit | edit source]

Participation in clinical trials is voluntary and involves both potential benefits and risks. Benefits can include access to new treatments before they are widely available, close monitoring and care from a research team, and the opportunity to contribute to medical research that may benefit others in the future. Risks may include experiencing unknown side effects or receiving a treatment that is less effective than the standard care.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

NIAID-sponsored clinical trials are a cornerstone of medical research in the fields of infectious diseases, immunology, and allergies. They play a crucial role in developing new treatments and improving patient care. By participating in these trials, individuals can contribute to the advancement of medical science and the development of new therapies that may save lives in the future.